CLA 'whole-heartedly' backs inquiry into uplands' future

The CLA has today welcomed news that the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) will be launching an inquiry into the future of England's upland communities.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "The CLA is whole-heartedly backing this much-needed look at how current issues facing upland areas are affecting rural communities. Upland farming, in particular, is often overlooked but is vital to maintaining our traditional landscapes and wildlife.

 

"This inquiry can only benefit the communities living in the hills. It will demonstrate the considerable pressures being felt by both farmers and the wider rural communities living and working in these important areas and offer positive recommendations on what needs to be done to offer these communities a secure and economically viable future."

 

The CLA President added: "Issues facing the uplands range from the controversial electronic sheep-tagging regulations to lack of affordable housing. These are just two of the key areas on which the CLA lobbies Government on behalf of uplands landowners."

 

The CRC inquiry will look at:

 

* Identifying and evaluating the key drivers of change in England's upland communities,

* Developing and promoting realistic policy recommendations that enable and equip these communities to move towards more secure, economically prosperous and sustainable futures.

 

 

 

CLA MEDIA CONTACT:

 

 

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

 

 

 

Out of hours duty phone: 020 7201 9511.